126] 



Animals in the Wild 



DESERT TRANSPORT WITH BUILT-IN COMMISSARY 



The camel was domesticated thousands of years ago it is pictured on ancient 

 pottery and Assyrian friezes. The hump is not part of the camel's backbone, but 

 a reserve supply of fat which is gradually absorbed as needed. The camel 

 also keeps a water reservoir in its innards to provide for emergencies. 



CAMELS AVID WATER DRINKERS 



The camel is another one of those animals that interest 

 children because of a physical peculiarity. At some zoos children 

 need not content themselves with looking at a camel; they may 

 ride on the animal as well. Thus they can come to know some- 

 thing of the sensation of a desert traveler as he progresses over 

 the sands on camel-back. Of course the youngsters do not have a 

 chance to appreciate how this useful animal weathers a sand- 

 storm in its natural surroundings. The camel can close its nostrils 

 against the flying sand, and in addition its double row of eye- 

 lashes offers excellent protection for its eyes. A one-humped drome- 

 dary in good form can travel nearly a hundred miles a day. 



